UFC 209 promises to be one of the most intriguing and competitive cards in recent memory, and it is almost upon us… The event will be broadcast live on March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card will be available to watch on pay-per-view and follows prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass. […]
UFC 209 promises to be one of the most intriguing and competitive cards in recent memory, and it is almost upon us… The event will be broadcast live on March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card will be available to watch on pay-per-view and follows prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass. […]
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will go head to head in a likely eliminator for a shot at Conor McGregor’s lightweight belt.
The UFC 209 fight card features two much anticipated title fights, in what will be the first of the UFC’s elite nights of 2017.
The main event sees welterweight champion Tyron Woodley go head to head with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in their second bout to determine the king of the 170 pound division. Both men battled to a draw at UFC 205 in November of 2016, but chances of another stalemate (Woodley retaining his belt by majority draw decision) are slim.
UFC 209’s lightweight, co-headline match up between #1 ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov and #2 Tony Ferguson is just about as anticipated as a fight can get. Two of the world’s greatest MMA fighters will enter the octagon in a bid to capture the interim UFC lightweight title. with a view to facing the champion on-hiatus [Conor McGregor].
Khabib Nurmagomedov posted a video his Instagram page on Thursday, showing the full intensity of his staredown with his streaking, 155 pound opponent.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPdYyQajEp0/
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will go head to head in a likely eliminator for a shot at Conor McGregor’s lightweight belt.
The UFC 209 fight card features two much anticipated title fights, in what will be the first of the UFC’s elite nights of 2017.
The main event sees welterweight champion Tyron Woodley go head to head with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in their second bout to determine the king of the 170 pound division. Both men battled to a draw at UFC 205 in November of 2016, but chances of another stalemate (Woodley retaining his belt by majority draw decision) are slim.
UFC 209’s lightweight, co-headline match up between #1 ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov and #2 Tony Ferguson is just about as anticipated as a fight can get. Two of the world’s greatest MMA fighters will enter the octagon in a bid to capture the interim UFC lightweight title. with a view to facing the champion on-hiatus [Conor McGregor].
Khabib Nurmagomedov posted a video his Instagram page on Thursday, showing the full intensity of his staredown with his streaking, 155 pound opponent.
The UFC heavyweight’s tweet to Dana White provokes questions over the recent growth in the introduction of interim belts.
When all else fails, introduce an interim title to the mix. Not the words of the UFC top brass, although in the past couple of months we have seen the introduction of a secondary belt to the featherweight and lightweight divisions in times of promotional crisis, and the absence of a champion [McGregor].
The decision drew criticism from some, who felt that it was a weak effort on behalf of the promotion to make the PPV event worthwhile. Conor McGregor was simultaneously stripped of (or voluntarily relinquished) his 145 pound strap, with the winner of the Holloway/Pettis strap facing [new champion] Jose Aldo for the “real” title. From the promotions perspective, selling the fight as a title eliminator would not have held as much weight without a physical belt, given the UFC’s track record for reneging on title-shot promises.
While fans and associates of Conor McGregor were among the first to ridicule the introduction of the belt, McGregor himself was not averse to hoisting the interim gold over his head in his win over Chad Mendes at UFC 189. These belts arguably grant the victor with an elevation on their stock, but to many fans they are somewhat worthless in the grand scheme.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson was made official for UFC 209 this week, in a fight spiced up (once again) by an interim belt. McGregor is likely out of action until the end of the year, so the possibility of the winner between the Russian and the American having to defend (and possibly lose – confirmation, Dana?) the title of Interim Champion makes for even more confusion.
What makes this scenario unique, however, is that both guys are solidly in the #1 & #2 spots in the lightweight rankings, so the result should logically determine the challenger to the Irishman’s strap, right? Tyron Woodley v Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is a title fight on the ‘209 card, so it is not as though the UFC are in a similar position to the Holloway v Pettis situation.
UFC’s Ben Rothwell sent a cheeky tweet to UFC president Dana White on Friday, appearing to poke fun at the President for this recent rise in interim belts:
One may argue that the new owners of the world’s chief MMA promotion are responsible for the rise in secondary titles, and being a business with finance at the forefront of its operations, it is a valid argument. Conjecture of motives aside, the introduction of a litany of belts has led to a series of mismatches, and a ton of promotional disputes in boxing – let us hope that the UFC are not planning on adopting a similar model of throwing a belt into the mix in just any fight.
The UFC heavyweight’s tweet to Dana White provokes questions over the recent growth in the introduction of interim belts.
When all else fails, introduce an interim title to the mix. Not the words of the UFC top brass, although in the past couple of months we have seen the introduction of a secondary belt to the featherweight and lightweight divisions in times of promotional crisis, and the absence of a champion [McGregor].
The decision drew criticism from some, who felt that it was a weak effort on behalf of the promotion to make the PPV event worthwhile. Conor McGregor was simultaneously stripped of (or voluntarily relinquished) his 145 pound strap, with the winner of the Holloway/Pettis strap facing [new champion] Jose Aldo for the “real” title. From the promotions perspective, selling the fight as a title eliminator would not have held as much weight without a physical belt, given the UFC’s track record for reneging on title-shot promises.
While fans and associates of Conor McGregor were among the first to ridicule the introduction of the belt, McGregor himself was not averse to hoisting the interim gold over his head in his win over Chad Mendes at UFC 189. These belts arguably grant the victor with an elevation on their stock, but to many fans they are somewhat worthless in the grand scheme.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson was made official for UFC 209 this week, in a fight spiced up (once again) by an interim belt. McGregor is likely out of action until the end of the year, so the possibility of the winner between the Russian and the American having to defend (and possibly lose – confirmation, Dana?) the title of Interim Champion makes for even more confusion.
What makes this scenario unique, however, is that both guys are solidly in the #1 & #2 spots in the lightweight rankings, so the result should logically determine the challenger to the Irishman’s strap, right? Tyron Woodley v Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is a title fight on the ‘209 card, so it is not as though the UFC are in a similar position to the Holloway v Pettis situation.
UFC’s Ben Rothwell sent a cheeky tweet to UFC president Dana White on Friday, appearing to poke fun at the President for this recent rise in interim belts:
Dear @danawhite, there must be an interim title at stake between McGregor&Mayweather,otherwise I just don't find it interesting enough.Thanx
One may argue that the new owners of the world’s chief MMA promotion are responsible for the rise in secondary titles, and being a business with finance at the forefront of its operations, it is a valid argument. Conjecture of motives aside, the introduction of a litany of belts has led to a series of mismatches, and a ton of promotional disputes in boxing – let us hope that the UFC are not planning on adopting a similar model of throwing a belt into the mix in just any fight.
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that the much anticipated bout between the #1 & #2 ranked lightweights will go ahead.
With Conor McGregor on hiatus, there is no bigger fight in the 155 pound division right now. Khabib Nurmagomedov will square off against the streaking Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 in Las Vegas, on March 4th.
White confirmed, much to the delight of fans on Thursday, that the fight has been booked:
“We haven’t received bout agreements from both guys, but they’ve both verbally agreed.”
“It’s happening”.
Dana White’s confirmation of the bout which may determine McGregor’s opponent for his first title defence has now made UFC 209 an impressive card; the headlining title rematch between welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and #1 ranked Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will follow an interesting clash of styles.
The lightweight champion [McGregor] is expected to be out of action until fall, and it is likely thatthe winner of the upcoming lightweight bout will hold the upper hand in negotiating a shot at the Irishman’s title.
Ferguson is currently riding a nine fight win streak, which stretches back to 2012’s loss to Khabib’s last opponent [Michael Johnson] . The former welterweight’s last appearance inside the octagon was against ex-lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos on the finale of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3 in November 2016.
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that the much anticipated bout between the #1 & #2 ranked lightweights will go ahead.
With Conor McGregor on hiatus, there is no bigger fight in the 155 pound division right now. Khabib Nurmagomedov will square off against the streaking Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 in Las Vegas, on March 4th.
White confirmed, much to the delight of fans on Thursday, that the fight has been booked:
“We haven’t received bout agreements from both guys, but they’ve both verbally agreed.”
“It’s happening”.
Dana White’s confirmation of the bout which may determine McGregor’s opponent for his first title defence has now made UFC 209 an impressive card; the headlining title rematch between welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and #1 ranked Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will follow an interesting clash of styles.
The lightweight champion [McGregor] is expected to be out of action until fall, and it is likely thatthe winner of the upcoming lightweight bout will hold the upper hand in negotiating a shot at the Irishman’s title.
Ferguson is currently riding a nine fight win streak, which stretches back to 2012’s loss to Khabib’s last opponent [Michael Johnson] . The former welterweight’s last appearance inside the octagon was against ex-lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos on the finale of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3 in November 2016.
After the thrilling co-main event at UFC 205, Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson were instantly poised to rematch. The result of their back-and-forth burner in NYC was a majority draw, as entertaining as it was close. ‘Wonderboy’ had enjoyed a ‘dark horse’ status heading in to his first UFC title fight, with many picking the
After the thrilling co-main event at UFC 205, Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson were instantly poised to rematch. The result of their back-and-forth burner in NYC was a majority draw, as entertaining as it was close. ‘Wonderboy’ had enjoyed a ‘dark horse’ status heading in to his first UFC title fight, with many picking the flashy striker to get the win. As it turned out, ‘The Chosen One’ delivered, managing to keep the pace over five rounds. Opting for his volume strikes throughout the bout, Thompson put in an equally game and gallant showing.
It wasn’t long before Woodley was talking about other fights, though. Facing off with Michael Bisping, the welterweight champion revealed plans for a middleweight title fight. Discussing a ‘money fight’ with Nick Diaz or Conor McGregor, Woodley also teased a tilt against Demian Maia. Momentarily, at least, it seemed ‘Wonderboy’ might get snubbed. Similarly to the lead up to UFC 205, Woodley himself announced the rematch at UFC 209, days before the promotion made it official.
Adam Hunger for USA TODAY Sports
Wonderboy’s Thoughts
Speaking since the confirmation of the rematch, Stephen Thompson discusses Tyron Woodley’s latest statements. After being called ‘entitled,’ and engaging in a Twitter beef, ‘Wonderboy’ gives his own, typically measured, version of trash talk. Here’s what the umber one contender told MMAJunkie.com:
“There’s going to be no doubt in everybody’s mind who the winner of that fight is going to be, and that’s going to be me.”
“He wants to fight everybody else but me is what it seems like,” Thompson said. “We did fight to a draw last time, which, in my eyes, we might as well have not even fought at all. It almost seems like he’s happy with a draw, and he’s OK with it. In my eyes, as a champion, I wouldn’t be happy with that.”
“I Fight For Honor & Glory”
“I know what it feels like to be out there with him, and going back and watching that last fight, I didn’t throw everything I know I can throw,” he said. “I was a little hesitant, didn’t do a lot of switching sides, didn’t throw the kicks that I normally throw. Tyron Woodley hasn’t seen the best Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. know I can hit him, and I can hit him with some power.”
“I fight for the honor and the glory, and I didn’t win that fight,” he said. “It was a draw, and I was a little disappointed in myself that I didn’t give it 110 percent, which motivates me more to train as hard as I can for when I step out there again. I’ve got his number, man. Next time we step out there, I can just go out there and do my thing.”
UFC 209 Fight Card
Woodley vs. Thompson 2 will headline the UFC 209 card on March 4, 2017. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada plays host. Here’s how the UFC 209 fight card is stacking up so far:
MAIN CARD
Tyron Woodley (C) vs. Stephen Thompson – welterweight title fight
March 3 event has been canned, on what would have been first part of double header on the eve of UFC 209.
What was first reported on MMAjunkie on Tuesday has also been confirmed by UFC.
While UFC Fight Night 106 will no longer go ahead; it is worth noting that no details (venue, fight details) were confirmed for the card. No reason has been given by the promotion for the cancellation.
In addition to the scrapping of this event, UFC 208 was also canceled after confirmation of a date [January 21] and venue [Anaheim, California]. UFC 208 has been subsequently adjusted to Feb. 11 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Anaheim will host an event on August 5, however.
“I just signed the contract that was put in front of me. I didn’t ask for it, I didn’t beg for it. We signed it and sent it right back.
We didn’t negotiate more money or anything. Signed it and sent it back.
“He’s got the bout agreement and he’s probably looking at it right now. UFC wants this fight to happen. We just have unfinished business. As a champion for me, if it was the other way around and I was in Tyron’s shoes, I just couldn’t feel right moving on from that last fight. It was a draw. I didn’t win and there’s a lot of fans that would see this as unfinished business and I just can’t leave it that way. That’s not who I am.
“As a champion, he should be taking this fight because we have not yet determined the winner of it.”
Woodley’s subsequent confirmation of the date has all but tied up an eagerly anticipated 2nd fight between the two, following the [majority] draw decision at UFC 205 which saw the champion retain his belt.
“T-Wood” stated (Via Fox Sports):
“March 4, UFC 209 in Las Vegas, Nevada, what I believe to be the T-Mobile Center, you will see “Wonderboy” get the worst ass whooping of his life.
“Hopefully all his fans and all his over entitlement will cease at that moment and we can do a eulogy for it.”
Fans eager to watch the first event of 2017’s roster will not have to wait long for the upcoming “UFC Fight Night 103: Rodriguez vs. Penn”. The event is scheduled to take place this Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona. You can watch the prelims and on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, before the main card which will air on FS1.
March 3 event has been canned, on what would have been first part of double header on the eve of UFC 209.
What was first reported on MMAjunkie on Tuesday has also been confirmed by UFC.
While UFC Fight Night 106 will no longer go ahead; it is worth noting that no details (venue, fight details) were confirmed for the card. No reason has been given by the promotion for the cancellation.
In addition to the scrapping of this event, UFC 208 was also canceled after confirmation of a date [January 21] and venue [Anaheim, California]. UFC 208 has been subsequently adjusted to Feb. 11 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Anaheim will host an event on August 5, however.
“I just signed the contract that was put in front of me. I didn’t ask for it, I didn’t beg for it. We signed it and sent it right back.
We didn’t negotiate more money or anything. Signed it and sent it back.
“He’s got the bout agreement and he’s probably looking at it right now. UFC wants this fight to happen. We just have unfinished business. As a champion for me, if it was the other way around and I was in Tyron’s shoes, I just couldn’t feel right moving on from that last fight. It was a draw. I didn’t win and there’s a lot of fans that would see this as unfinished business and I just can’t leave it that way. That’s not who I am.
“As a champion, he should be taking this fight because we have not yet determined the winner of it.”
Woodley’s subsequent confirmation of the date has all but tied up an eagerly anticipated 2nd fight between the two, following the [majority] draw decision at UFC 205 which saw the champion retain his belt.
“T-Wood” stated (Via Fox Sports):
“March 4, UFC 209 in Las Vegas, Nevada, what I believe to be the T-Mobile Center, you will see “Wonderboy” get the worst ass whooping of his life.
“Hopefully all his fans and all his over entitlement will cease at that moment and we can do a eulogy for it.”
Fans eager to watch the first event of 2017’s roster will not have to wait long for the upcoming “UFC Fight Night 103: Rodriguez vs. Penn”. The event is scheduled to take place this Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona. You can watch the prelims and on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, before the main card which will air on FS1.
![UFC_209_Woodley_vs._Thompson_2_Poster[1]](http://cdn.lowkickmma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/UFC_209_Woodley_vs._Thompson_2_Poster1.jpg)
